The City of Marias, although it's not the number one kingdom in the continent, it's still have a big size and population. It also own one one of the major trade routes and they made sure to make use of it.
First is by collecting tariffs, tolls, and fees from goods transported through it. And they also make use of it to expand their market.
That's why even though it's doesn't hold much military power they hold significant influence over the world's economy.
Though with their increasing size and population comes with a noticeable divide in it's people which is of course, the peasants and the nobles.
And at this moment Zarius was heading to this same kingdom with a merry expression. That's because he now have a plan for his current situation.
"Finally, the religion content of the game can be of use" he mumbles while he walks along the river, with his trench coat once again covering him entirely.
Currently on his right side was a wide river that could fit a football field in it. It's width could fit a couple of ship side by side while still having a good space to move around.
While on his left is a deep and dense forest of thick and tall willow trees. Though instead of having a lively ecosystem within, the forest was a little bit quiet, as if every animals living within it are trying not to wake up something that sleeping.
'I didn't expect that useless part of the game will be the main key to my survival' he thought.
What he was referring to was the feature to join a church or a cult. Though it's good for making a small connection with many NPC in the game it's pretty much useless.
It might actually make the game harder as some religion put some restraint or a kind to their believer.. one of the example for this would be the "Church of Everlasting Light" which forbids its believer to kill anything that has a life.
And usually if the player ignored this and did it anyway, they would find their character in a deep pit of depression it stress that hinders them to the point of not being able to fight properly.
And with the restrictions of not being able to kill, the character won't be able to level up.. and that's a huge problem.
And because of that Zarius pretty much ignored the religion option and just kept on grinding.
'And now I'm actually benefiting to it huh' he thought with a smile.
That's because one of the religion has a strange concept of worshipping their God.. and that's by offering some of their freedom to their own.
Like for example, you could offer your freedom to never drink alcohol again, or offering your freedom to eat any meat. Pretty much making an oath to forbid your self to what life could offer.
And the priest in the game said the greater the restrictions you give yourself, the greater blessing the god would give.
At least that's what he said. He never wasn't interested in it after his experience with the Church of Everlasting Light.
Though if his guess was correct the "blessings" of the Everlasting light is an increase damage against darkness related monster.
But he's not really sure because it was almost unnoticeable that is hard to actually measure it, pretty useless right? 'Though I don't need that blessing right now. So, who cares.'
'As for the blessing of that church.. I'm not sure what it would give.. I guess we'll find out soon' he wondered.
"Oh! I can see it!" He exclaimed.. and in the distance he could see a busy port besides the river. He could also catch a glimpse of a towering wall right next to the port beyond the trees.
And with that he began walking a little bit faster.
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Around 20 minutes later.
Zarius finally arrived at the port. Looking around he saw multiple small ships unloading it's goods and placing them into carts and carriage to have them transported to their respective place.
He could also see lots of small stalls selling different kinds of stuff around the port. Some includes fishes, tools, food, and even weapons and armors.
Overall, the place was brimming with people busy with either work or shopping around.
Turning his head to the left he could see a towering open gate that leads into the City of Marias just beyond the market.
'judging by this place, this would what the nobles would call a 'commoners market' seeing that it's outside the castle walls' he judge as a few people passed by him.. and giving him weird looks.
I mean.. he still have his trench coat covering his head like a cowl hood. Some are wondering 'why dont he just wear a hood in the first place?'
Seeing this Zarius felt a little embarrassed..'i should probably get use to this' he sighed before walking towards the huge gate.
While walking he could hear a bunch of stall owners yelling out their products and enticing customer, he could hear a few haggling about the prices, and some are talking about some rumors about unusual amounts of monsters appearing in the forest lately.
'this place is quite a lively one' he smiled.
Then he heard another one screaming and yelling about how great their cult is and how everyone should join.
'a bit crazy too' he shook his head.
And soon he arrive at the gate.
"Halt! What's your purpose!" A guard called him out, due to his unusual shenanigans of wearing his trench coat in a weird way.
Zarius paused in his track as he turned his torso in the guards direction.. because he cant turn his head without the coat moving and exposing him into the sun.
"Yes? How can I help you?" He said with a politest smile and voice he could muster. 'lets not screw up shall we?'
"Oh. I would just like to know why are you wearing your cloth in such manner. Sir" the guard said. As if adjusting his behaviors.
Because to them if a person is this polite and calm the would usually mean, they are educated, meaning they're a noble or at least have enough money to afford going into a school.. Or an innocent person who isn't planning anything bad.. maybe even both. But there's a small chance they're acting tho..
"Ah this one?" Zarius referred to his coat which the guard replies with a simple nod.
"Well, as you might see im avoiding the sun from touching my skin" he smiled as if he finds it silly as well.
"Oh may we know why is that?" The guard ask having a small suspicion that the guy they're talking to is a vampire.. but which vampire in their right mind would outright tell them that???
"Ah you see I'm a believer of the Church Of Dreams.. and I have offered my freedom to enjoy sunlight to my lord" he said with a proud voice. "Just like our church's creed 'one cannot fulfill one's dream without sacrifices" he added with a pious tone.
"OH! A fellow dreamer!" One of the nearby guard that seems to be listening into their conversation suddenly exclaimed and did a triangle gesture in his chest. Which he of course returned.
"But isn't that quite a big shackles you placed on yourself, brother?" That guard said.
"It's a price I'm willing to pay for my dream to be true, brother" he smiled solemnly.. as if showing that his dream was something he couldn't afford to not achieve.
"Indeed..brother. its everything's a price worth to pay for our dreams. All you have to do is keep your end of the deal and our lord will keep his.. as he have done to me" the guard said as he pointed towards his badge.
"Oh! congratulations on reaching your dream!" Zarius went as far as to faking to offer a handshake only to retract it.
"Ah I'm sorry for I cannot shake your hand under the sun.. i have not worn my gloves" he said shamefully.
"That's fine brother I understand" the guard laughed as he pat Zarius' shoulder.
"Names Dorren! Don't worry you can come in and out of the kingdom anytime" the guard said with a cheerful laugh.
"Thank you, Dorren.. my names.. Noiren.. Noiren Van Helsing" he said with a calm voice.. but deep inside he's smiling like a fool.
"!!!!" The two guards was wide eye when they heard his name..'only a noble would have a family name! As only the king can grant someone with a family name!'
"Its an honor! Sir!" Their attitude towards him became even more better.
'Thats it! Think of me as a kind noble! Hahahahah' Zarius laughed crazily inwardly. While on the outside he was smiling in an awkward way.
"No need to be so formal! I have donated everything I have to those in need and devoted everything to our lord" he said with a solemn expression.
"I have nothing but a humble house and wealth.. I'm in no position to be treated like a true noble" he slowly shook his head.
"N-no we wouldn't dare!" The two guards shook their head refusing to act more casual to him.. matter of fact they got even more formal and polite.
'all according to keikaku' he giggled inwardly once again.
"Anyway.. I should get going now, you two" he said before bidding them farewell.
And with that, Zarius now have free access of the gate.. a stable alibi and a background story, and even a cover for his reason to hide from the sun. And even two acquaintance that has a connection with the authority.
'well, that went perfect now I just gotta solidify it by making it true.' he said within his mind.
'wait.. fok.. i forgot to ask them where the church of dream is' sighing he turned back.
And with a few moments of awkward exchange he just gave them the reason that he was new to this kingdom and doesn't know where the church of dream is. And he quickly got an answer for it.
And he quickly followed their direction.
While walking he saw a few things to note in the kingdom.. of course he already anticipated that they would be available here. Although he wasn't entirely sure until he saw it himself.
One of them would be the Dungeon diver adventurer guild, which manage the registration of adventurer who are willing to go inside the dungeon.
Unlike the normal adventurers they do not need to take quest that are posted in the guilds quest board.. all they have to do is to exchange the drops or any loot that they got into the dungeon.
The Dungeon diver also have more privilege than a Horizon Chaser as the adventurers of the Horizon Chaser guild are mostly im charge of over world solution. While the Dungeon Diver are in charge of clearing the dungeon portal within the city.
Because if a dungeon were not cleared for a while specially the lower levels that's a higher chance that it would produce a monster. This is the reason theres monster in this world.
The reason why there's goblins and other monsters are because there are still hidden portal in the world constantly producing monster.
And usually the Horizon Chaser are the ones who hunt this monsters.. and they are also the ones that reports the existence of a portal. Which will then be cleared by the DD adventurer.
And thats how the governments of this worlds dealt with this. By giving them no choice but to clear the dungeon if they want a safe place.. and also profiting from it at the same time.
How do they profit? We'll they take a "small" cut of the loots that you got in the dungeon.. and also by collecting taxes for "safely living" within the walls of the castle that can be easily paid by going into the dungeon.
Which in turn will make those who are desperate in paying those taxes go.. and when they go they'll help in clearing the dungeon. And in that case the government dont have to spend resources by sending their own trained soldier in the dungeon. And they get a small cut of the loots.
"It's killing 3 birds with one stone kind of shit" Zarius mumbles as he followed the direction he got from the two.
And soon he found him self face to face with a humble temple. Stepping inside he manage to see quite alot of believer currently socializing within the establishment.
'from my memories.. I recall that their doctrine is to help their brother and sister to achieving their respected goals' he thought as he passed them by and approach one of the people who wore a violet robe.
"How can I help you brother?.. and seems like you are new here.. i haven't seen your face before." The monk said as he approached.
"I am here to seek the lord for his help. And I'm willing to sacrifice something of mine for it" he said seriously.
Seeing this the monk smiled.. glad that another will be joining their religion on their own.
"Come with me.. and you can call me skipper" he said. Then he began skipping away.
'pffff' Zarius was forced to closed his eyes and bite his lips just to stop himself from laughing.
"You can laugh you know.. I understand how this might be quite a funny sight to you.. i find this silly too" the monk chuckled as he continues skipping.
"I-im fine" he replied briefly.
"As you might have noticed, I swore not to walk any longer in exchange for a great dream that i have.. and I'm getting closer in achieving it" the monk said seriously.
Making it even hard for him to hold it in.
"Pfffff"
Suddenly he heard the monk laughed out loud. "Heh.. I was wondering how long you could last.. not bad, brother" he patted Zarius shoulder before leading him into a room.
Inside were a table with a triangle shaped tablet standing on the middle of the table. It's length is around 1ft and its width is a ½ft.
"Go on.. have a seat." Skipper said as he took as sit to the opposite. Seeing this he also took a seat.
"Now please push your hand into the tablet" Skipper asked.
He found it quite strange but he did it anyway. And when his hand touch the surface of the tablet it felt warm.. and when he applied a little pressure into it his hand seemingly sank into the stone.. whats strange is he doesn't feel it going through the stone. Almost as if his hand is in a different place or even a dimension.
"Now please state you're offer to the lord.. and dont worry.. you're hand will most likely stay intact" skipper smiled.
While Zarius did the opposite 'mostly?? What do you mean mostly???' he looked at him suspiciously.
"Im kidding.. your offer please" he smiled.
Breathing deeply he began speaking.
"I am willing to forbid myself in feeling the sun directly onto my skin or any of my body parts." He said out loud.
"Oohh! Like a vampire then? Are you not afraid of getting mistaken as a vampire??? " Skipper said.
'im doing it because i AM a vampire!' he yelled in his mind but kept quiet.
Instead he just smiled and said. "I'll manage"
"I guess we're both similarly weird" Skipper said with a smile. Then quickly turned serious.
"Oh, lord of the longing and dreams. Please hear this humble human's plea and offer in exchange help him achieve his true wish, and give him what he needs the most" the monk mumbled.
And suddenly Zarius felt a hand grab his own inside the space within the tablet.
He got so shocked he pulled put but the hand held onto him tightly.
[Ding!]
[You have signed a contract with #$@*# The God of Contract, Dream, and Longing]
[You have received "The Blessing of $#*@]
'huh?'
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==================|
[Name: Noiren Van Helsing]
| Lvl= 1. Exp( 5/50)
[Race: Vampire]
|
[Stats]===|
Str : 12
Spd : 13
Agi : 10
Per : 10
Con : 5
Dex : 12
Cha : 14
========|
|
[Skill]
| > [Regeneration]
> [Immortality]
>[Echolocation]
[Blessings]
|> [Blessing of @#$¢]
=================|